T-Mobile has taken a bold step forward in the world of 5G technology, initiating the rollout of its latest innovation that promises lightning-fast speeds of up to 3.3Gbps. The breakthrough is achieved through carrier aggregation, a technique that combines four distinct 5G channels into one for compatible devices. At present, only Samsung’s newer Galaxy S23 phones are capable of harnessing this impressive speed boost, akin to the smart trick employed by Wi-Fi routers to establish quicker connections.
This new offering surpasses the speeds offered by mmWave 5G, a technology heavily lauded by Verizon and AT&T for its high-speed potential. Ookla recently reported download speeds of up to 1.6Gbps in the US using mmWave 5G. However, mmWave has limitations in terms of range and device support, and it is easily hindered by common obstacles such as trees and buildings.
The four channels utilized by T-Mobile encompass repurposed 1,900MHz spectrum from T-Mobile’s and Sprint’s previously decommissioned 3G networks, along with two 2.5GHz channels and 600MHz. The deployment has already commenced in select areas of T-Mobile’s network and is expected to be available nationwide in the coming weeks, as stated in the company’s release. However, T-Mobile has not disclosed the specific locations where the rollout is currently live.
Justin Paulsen, Senior Communications Manager at T-Mobile, confirmed that no specific plan is required to access the aggregated channels, and users won’t encounter any limitations on connection speed. Nevertheless, not everyone can enjoy the benefits of this faster connection yet, as it necessitates a Samsung Galaxy S23 phone equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modem, which is also present in the OnePlus 11 5G.
While AT&T and T-Mobile are actively working on similar upgrades, T-Mobile seems to have won the race among major US carriers. Last year, the company announced achieving the 3Gbps throughput milestone using this technique on a live, standalone 5G network, a feat yet unmatched by other cellular service providers.
Ulf Ewaldsson, the President of Technology at T-Mobile, highlighted the company’s position as the sole provider with a standalone 5G network, enabling them to introduce game-changing technologies like four-carrier aggregation to the market.
T-Mobile’s new 5G tech, powered by carrier aggregation, sets a new benchmark in the realm of wireless connectivity, delivering unparalleled speeds that outpace current alternatives. With this groundbreaking development, T-Mobile is at the forefront of the 5G revolution, propelling the world into an era of seamless and lightning-fast communication.
